Fountain brush

ABSTRACT

A fountain brush unit wherein an oblong brush is mounted at one end of an elongated tubular handle, the other end of which is adapted to be connected to a source of water, the brush being mounted for selective adjustment between positions aligned with or perpendicular to the handle and wherein the brush is provided with various openings in the back thereof whereby, in at least one position of the brush, water may flow through the brush in a jet stream and in at least one other position water is dispersed as a spray.

United States Patent 1191 Feldmann Jan. 1, 1974 [5 FOUNTAIN BRUSH 1,968,827 8/1934 Grewg 401 /289 x 57 [75] Inventor: Robert G. Feldmann, Eden Prairie, 7872 12/1951 Bemnsen ml/204 Minn. FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS [73] Assigneea Pym Company, Inc La Crosse, 956,318 4/1964 Great Britain 401/203 Wis.

Primary ExaminerLawrence Charles [22] Flled' July 1972 Attorney-Carlsen, Carlsen & Strum [21] Appl. No.: 269,827

[57] ABSTRACT 401332610163: A fountain brush unit wherein an Oblong brush is [58] 401/40 43 mounted at one end of an elongated tubular handle, is o cal-c4 275 5 the other end of which is adapted to be connected to a source of water, the brush being mounted for selective adjustment between positions aligned with or perpendicular to the handle and wherein the brush is pro- [56] References Clted vided with various openings in the back thereof UNITED STATES PATENTS whereby, in at least one position of the brush, water 1,485,126 2/1924 Schumacher 401/281 may flow through the brush in a jet stream and in at 2,777,6 /19 D Shazo 4 4 H 2 X least one other position water is dispersed as a spray. 3,l00,589 8/1963 Love 222/480 1,718,117 6/1929 Dainos 401/289 3 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures FOUNTAIN BRUSH BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Fountain brushes of the type that are connected to garden hoses and used to wash vehicles, buildings or the like are generally provided with a fixed brush head with water passing through the bristles of the brush in a set spray or jet stream. It is desirable for maximum versatility of such a brush that means be provided for selectively discharging water from the brush head in either a jet stream or a diffused spray, the latter being primarily used during the washing operation and the former being used for rinsing.

Also where the brush has an oblong shape it is generally mounted on the handle in a crosswise position. This position is, of course, satisfactory where the brush is moved in a direction longitudinally of the handle during the washing operation. However, it is frequently desirable from the standpoint of comfort or better scrubbing action to move the handle from side to side in a wand-waving motion. In such an instance an oblong brush is, of course, more effective when it is positioned in alignment with or parallel to the handle. It is thus desirable that an oblong brush be adjustable between different angular positions relative to the longitudinal axis of the handle.

It is also desirable that such angular adjustment be combined with the aforementioned selective water discharge in either a jet or spray pattern.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a fountain brush with an oblong brush journaled on an elongated handle for selective adjustment of the brush between a position lying in general alignment with the handle and a position perpendicular to the handle.

Another object of the invention is to provide a fountaintype brush with a valving means for selectively discharging water in a jet stream or a diffused spray.

With these and other objects in view the invention broadly comprises an oblong brush mounted at one end of an elongated tubular handle for rotation on an axis generally perpendicular to the handle between positions lying in alignment with and crosswise to the handle and the mounting including a valving means for allowing the water to be discharged from the brush in a jet stream or a spray diffused among the brush bristles.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the brush head with the brush in perpendicular position.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the brush head with the brush in perpendicular position so as to show the brush from one end.

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 1 but with the brush in parallel position.

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal vertical section through the brush head taken on line 44 of FIG. 1 and looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the head and brush taken on line 5-5 of FIG. 4 and looking upwardly at the head and downwardly at the brush.

FIG. 6 is similar to FIG. 5 but with the brush in parallel position as in FIG. 3.

FIG. 7 is similar to FIG. 5 but with the brush rotated 180".

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now more particularly to the drawings reference numerals will be used to denote like parts or structural features in the different views. A tubular handle 10 has a suitable coupling (not shown) at one end for connection to a garden hose or other source of water under pressure. The handle may also incorporate some means for selectively metering a cleansing agent into the stream of water flowing therethrough.

The brush head is denoted generally by the number 11 and comprises a coupling member 12 and a brush 14. The coupling 12 has an integral sleeve 15 into which the end of handle 10 is threaded or press fit as shown in FIG. 4. Sleeve 15 connects at an angle with a disk 16 which has a downwardly opening circular peripheral groove 17. A pocket 18 is formed in the disk 16 opening within the sleeve 15 and this pocket has a narrow notched opening in its bottom forming a nozzle or jet orifice 19 which is directed downwardly and inwardly toward the axis of disk 16.

The inner side of groove 17 is formed by the circular wall 20. Within the wall 20 and spaced about the center axis thereof are the nozzle 19 and three circular downwardly opening cups 21. Cups 21 and nozzle 19 are spaced equidistantly degrees apart. Disk 16 has an extension 22 adjacent to sleeve 15 which journals a slidable latch member 24.

The brush 14 has an oblong back 28 which tapers toward the ends. Member 28 has a marginal depending flange 29 and a plurality of downwardly opening sockets 30 cover all but the central portion of back 28, each socket securely holding a bundle 31 of brush bristles.

The central portion of the back 28 has an upstanding circular flange 32 adapted to fit within the groove 17. The flange 32 is stepped in cross section to seat a sealing ring 34. An aperture 35 is provided in the back at the center axis of flange 32. A circular boss 36 depends from back 28 concentric with aperture 35. Washer 37 rests against the bottom of boss 36 and a machine screw 38 extends upwardly through washer 37 and aperture 35 with its end 39 threaded into disk 16 to secure brush 14 to the coupling member 12.

Within the flange 32 the brush back 28 is provided with a relatively large opening 40 adapted to align with the opening 19 in the pocket 18 when the brush is in the positions shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 of the drawings. There are also four smaller openings 41 in the back 28 within flange 32. These openings are spaced intermediate the intersection of the longitudinal and transverse axes of the brush so as to be offset with respect to cups 21 when the brush and coupling are assembled and when the brush is positioned either parallel or perpendicular to handle 10.

Four upwardly opening sockets 44, 45, 46 and 47 are provided in the back 28 and spaced equidistantly about the outside of flange 32. These are adapted to receive the end of the latch member 24 to lock the brush 14 against rotation about the axis of screw 38. The latch member 24 is seated in socket 45 when the brush head is in this condition.

When the brush 14 is rotated degrees from the position shown in FIG. 6 so that the latch member 24 is seated in socket 47, the water flow will, of course, be

the same as just described and the brush will be parallel to handle 10 so the condition is really identical to the second condition.

FIG. 7 shows a third condition of the brush head with the brush 14 again perpendicular to the handle 10 and with latch 24 seated in socket 44. Here, however, the opening 40 is diametrically across from jet orifice 19 and again covered by one of the cups 21 so that the water will still flow through openings 41.

The brush is a fountain spray brush in either the second or third conditions, the only difference being the position of the brush relative to the handle. The purpose of the adjustability is that some users find the use of the brush more convenient such as on an automobile when the brush is in one position and on a house when in another position.

Latch 24 is preferably held in its locking position in one of the sockets 44-47 by a spring means (not shown) and this may include a ball and detent or a rounded end on the latch which seats in the sockets and which will slip out of the sockets when strong turning pressure is applied to the brush whereby the brush may be forcibly moved between various positions without actually lifting the handle of the latch.

The head 11 is in assembled conditions in FIGS. 1 to 4. It will be understood that while coupling member 12 is fixedly mounted on handle 10 the brush 14 is adjustable to various positions about the axis of screw 38. There are four positions in which the brush is locked in position.

In the positions shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and the brush is in a fountain jet condition. The water from the source flows through handle which preferably has a selectively communicable soap compartment therein and then through sleeve 15 and pocket 18 and opening 19 directly through the large opening 14 in the back 28. The area below the opening 40 and surrounding the screw 38 is open and devoid of bristle bunches 31 so that when the brush is in this condition a stream of water jets directly from opening 40 through the brush without engaging the bristles. The brush 14 is locked in this condition by latch member 24 engaging in the socket 46. Generally, the brush is used in this condition for rapid rinsing of an area that has been previously scrubbed by the brush.

A second condition of the brush head is shown in FIGS. 3 and 6. Here the brush 14 is parallel to and aligned with handle 10 rather than perpendicular thereto as in the fountain jet condition just discussed. In this position one of the cups 21 will be covering and closing the opening 40. Accordingly, water emanating from the jet orifice 19 will flow over the back 28 within the flange 32 and downwardly through the small opening 41 and onto the bristles 31 therebelow.

Having now therefore fully illustrated and described my invention, what I claim to be new and desire to protect by letters Patent is:

1. In a fountain brush,

a. an elongated rigid tubular handle adapted to have one end connected to a source of water under pressure,

b. a coupling member rigidly mounted on the other end of the handle,

c. an oblong brush having a back and bristles extending from one side thereof,

d. the central portion of the back on the side opposite from the bristles being rotatively joumaled and sealed on the coupling member with a chamber being formed therebetween and permitting rotative adjustment of the brush between a position perpendicular to the handle and a position in substantial longitudinal alignment with the handle,

e. said back central portion having apertures therein allowing water to flow from the chamber to the bristle side of the brush in either position of adjustment,

f. the coupling member having integral closure means positioned thereon for covering certain of said apertures in one position of adjustment of the brush and other apertures during the other position of adjustment of the brush to vary said flow to the bristles.

2. The subject matter of claim 1 wherein locking means are provided on the coupling member to cooperate with catch means on the brush to lock the brush in either of said positions.

3. In a fountain brush having a brush member mounted at the end of an elongated tubular handle for rotation between various positions, said mounting including a valve means coacting between the brush and handle permitting water to pass from the handle directly through the brush in a jet stream when the brush is in a first position and diffusing the water among the bristles in a spray when the brush is in a second position, said valve means including a coupling member integrally mounted on the handle and having a jet orifice therein, the brush being joumaled on the coupling member and having one large opening and a plurality of smaller openings through the back thereof, the large opening adapted to align with the jet orifice when the brush is in said first position, and means on the coupling member covering said large opening when the brush is in the second position so that the water will pass through said smaller openings. 

1. In a fountain brush, a. an elongated rigid tubular handle adapted to have one end connected to a source of water under pressure, b. a coupling member rigidly mounted on the other end of the handle, c. an oblong brush having a back and bristles extending from one side thereof, d. the central portion of the back on the side opposite from the bristles being rotatively journaled and sealed on the coupling member with a chamber being formed therebetween and permitting rotative adjustment of the brush between a position perpendicular to the handle and a position in substantial longitudinal alignment with the handle, e. said back central portion having apertures therein allowing water to flow from the chamber to the bristle side of the brush in either position of adjustment, f. the coupling member having integral closure means positioned thereon for covering certain of said apertures in one position of adjustment of the brush and other apertures during the other position of adjustment of the brush to vary said flow to the bristles.
 2. The subject matter of claim 1 wherein locking means are provided on the coupling member to cooperate with catch means on the brush to lock the brush in either of said positions.
 3. In a fountain brush having a brush member mounted at the end of an elongated tubular handle for rotation between various positions, said mounting including a valve means coacting between the brush and handle permitting water to pass from the handle directly through the brush in a jet stream when the brush is in a first posiTion and diffusing the water among the bristles in a spray when the brush is in a second position, said valve means including a coupling member integrally mounted on the handle and having a jet orifice therein, the brush being journaled on the coupling member and having one large opening and a plurality of smaller openings through the back thereof, the large opening adapted to align with the jet orifice when the brush is in said first position, and means on the coupling member covering said large opening when the brush is in the second position so that the water will pass through said smaller openings. 